light BUICK CENTURY 1993 Repair Manual

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use
caution.
wneels can destr
If you let your tires spln at high spe& they
can aplode and you or others could be
Injured. And, the,transaxle or other parts of
the vehicle can &wheat. That could muse an
engine compartment fire or other damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the wheels 88 lltek adc
-pssSble. Don’t spln the whwls above 35 mph
(55 Wh) as shown on the speedometer.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your fiont wheels. Then
shift back
and forth between
“R” (Reverse) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator
pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If that
doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be
towed out.
If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Buick”
in the Index.
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Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index. \
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262” F (128” C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
What to Use: Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 1825-Mi’ which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush
and refill. Use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement
(sealer) with any complete coolant change. If
you use these, you don’t need to add anything else.
I
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your coollng system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Mur vehicle’s coolant
warning system
Is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the wrong mlx, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. bur engine could catch
fire and you or others’could be burned. Use a
50/50 mPx of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
I
: warranty. Too much
l
and crack t
other parts
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Brake Master Cylinder
I
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that
the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back
up.
The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake
system.
If it is, you should have your brake system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t
work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add (01
remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is
hot enough. Mu or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid-such as Delco Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No.
1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only.
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Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressur5ued gasinstde
and can burst If you drop or scratch the bulb.
lbu or othem could be injured. Take spgclal
care when handllng and disposing of halogen
bulbs. t I
Headlamp Bulb Replacement
;or the type of bulb, see the Index under “Replacement
3ulbs
:’
1. Turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise Y6 turn,
pressing in firmly, until the flanges align with the
slots in the retainer ring.
2. Pull out the bulb assembly. You may have to rock it
up and down slightly to loosen it.
3. Disconnect the bulb base from the wiring harness by
lifting the plastic locking tab.
To replace the bulb
assembly:
1. Snap a new bulb into the
wiring harness
(A).
Make sure the locking
I tab (B) is over the lock
I (C) *
I 2. Install the bulb assembly
by putting the small tab
(D) in the small notch in
the retainer ring
(E). ,I
3. Turn the bulb assembly y6 turn clockwise to lock it in
place.
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Front Turn and Parking Bulb and/or Side
Marker Bulb Replacement
1. Raise the hood.
2. Insert a screwdriver into the loop of the spring, which
3. Pull the spring to the rear and slightly toward the can be seen just behind
the bulb assembly.
outside
of the car until the detent releases from the
notch in the headlight mounting frame.
4. The bulb assembly is now loose. Pull it forward until
To replace the turn/park bulb:
the bulb assembly can be reached.
1. Unsnap, the wire connector from the bulb assembly.
2. Turn the bulb counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Put -in the
new bulb and turn it clockwise.
4. Snap the wire connector onto the bulb assembly.
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To replace the side marker bulb:
1. Remove the socket by turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
socket.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of the
3. Insert the new bulb by pressing it straight into the
socket.
4. Insert the socket by pressing it straight into the bulb
hole and turning it clockwise.
1
To reinstall the lamp:
1. Guide the latch spring
through the opening
the metal inner panel.
a 2. Engage the twoblades
on the lamp into the slots
on the headlamp while
engaging the
two pins at
the rear
of the lamp
opening into the sockets
on the rear
of the lamp.
The lamp is now in
place.
3. Insert a screwdriver into the loop on the latch spring.
Pull the spring to the rear and slightly center
of the
vehicle until the detent engages into the notch.
Taillight Bulb Replacement (COUP sedan)
For the type of bulb, see the Index under “Replacement
Bulbs
I’
Replacing bulbs in the taillight housing is very difficult,
and we recommend that you
see your dealer when you
need a bulb replaced.
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aillight Bulb Replacement (Wagon)
For the type of bulb, see the Index under “Replacement
Bulbs
r’
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the three Phillips head screws.
3. Pull the taillight housing away from the body of the
vehicle.
4. Press the bulb housing release lever and turn the
housing
yS turn counterclockwise to remove it.
5. To remove the bulb, push in and rotate it
counterclockwise.
6. Reverse all steps to reassemble the taillight.
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Using Foam-Qpe Cleaner on Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge to
remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
Then dry it immediately with an air hose, a hair dryer
surrounding
trim along stitch or welt lines.
directions on the container label.
or cloth.
or a heat lamp.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent=Qpe Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some
spots and stains will clean off better with just water
and mild soap.
If you need to use it, then:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a
clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably cheesecloth).
Cleaning should start at the outside
of the stain,
“feathering” toward the center. Keep changing to a
clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry
the area with an air hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to
help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous
NOTICE.)
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains: Like grease, oil, butter,
margarine, shoe polish, coffke with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable
oils, wax crayon, tar
and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Then follow the solvent-type instructions above.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on
a vehicle seat fabric. They should be removed as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner will
dissolve them and may cause them to bleed.
Non-Greasy Stains: Like catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit, fruit juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine
and
blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the soiled
area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
above.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat
the area
with a watedbaking soda solution: 1 teaspoon
(5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm
water.
Finally, if needed, clean lightly with solvent-type
cleaner.
Combination Stains: Like candy, ice cream,
mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown
stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with cool
If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Just use warm water and a clean cloth. water and allow to dry.
Rub with a
clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may
have to do it more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don't get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
solvent-type vinyl/leather cleaner.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to' clean the top surfaces of
the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
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2
Fuses & Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination
of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly
reduces the chance
of fires caused by electrical problems.
The fuse panel is located inside the glove box, on the left side.
To change a fuse, open the glove box. Pull down on the
fuse panel latch and open
the door. Pull the fuse straight
out.
To identify and check fuses, refer to the Fuse Usage chart.
GOOD
FUSE
7
GM PART NO. - ' RATING ' '2 COLOR I
12004003 ................... 3 AMP VIOLET
12004005
................... 5 AMP TAN
12004006
... ..... 7.5 AMP BROWN
12004007
... , ..... 10 AMP RED
12004008 ... ... 15 AMP LIGHT BLUE
12004009
... ... 20 AMP YELLOW
12004010
... ... 25 AMP WHITE
12004011
... ... 30 AMP LIGHT GREEN I
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one
of the identical size
and rating.
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